PMP picks CEO

PMP has selected former CFO and CEO of IPMG, Kevin Slaven, to replace Peter George as CEO and managing director of the company. Slaven had been working as interim CEO since George’s early departure late last year following a family bereavement.

The company also made its 1HY18 results available today, the first as a combined entity with IPMG, which the board says it is not satisfied with. PMP doubled its Australian print revenues, to $244.7m in its H1 FY18 results from $112.3m in the first half of FY17.

PMP says, “When including the IPMG print business on a comparable basis 1HY17 tonnes were 158k and for 1HY18 actual tonnes are 135.5k, which is a 14 per cent reduction year on year. On a statutory basis however, heatset print volumes were up 105 per cent or 69.3k tonnes pcp.”

As a whole, PMP recorded $398.5m in sales revenue across the group, a 52 per cent increase from its prior corresponding period result (pcp) of $262.2m.

PMP had a net loss of $19.5m, having recorded a $5m lower loss in the pcp of $14.5m. Before significant items the company was profitable, recording $1.1m, having been $2.9m in the black in the pcp. Net debt has increased by $22.9m from the pcp, now at $32.8m from $9.8m.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation, excluding significant items, is $20.2m, an 82 per cent increase from the pcp result of $11.1m, but $4m lower than the revised guidance given in November.

Significant items accounted for $15m, including $0.4m of non-cash items.

PMP says, “Cash significant items totalled $14.6m, with $16.8m cash out mainly for redundancies and press relocations, less cash received from sale of plant and equipment $2.2m.”

PMP laid off approximately 300 staff following the merger with IPMG, in site rationalisations across Offset Alpine in Sydney, Wacol Print in Brisbane, and a former Hannan site in Noble Park, Victoria.

PMP New Zealand recorded $64.1m in revenue, a decrease of 8.1 per cent from the pcp result of $69.8m. The company’s Distribution segment also decreased from the pcp, falling 2.3 per cent to $46.2m from $47.3m, which PMP attributes to lower volumes.

PMP says its book printer, Griffin Press, was impacted by lower volumes which more than offset operational efficiencies and EBITDA (before significant items) is $0.7m lower than the pcp.

Kevin Slaven, CEO, PMP says, “Whilst sales are significantly higher pcp, this is because of the inclusion of the IPMG Print and Marketing Services revenue, partially offset by lower sales at PMPNZ & Distribution. H1FY18 EBITDA (before significant items) of $20.2m is $4m lower than guidance given in November 2017. This was primarily due to a weaker than expected second quarter in Print Australia, with all other businesses performing to H1 expectations.

“Whilst the overall heatset print volumes in Australia were slightly ahead of guidance given in November, this was offset by lower than expected average prices due to a change in work mix mainly in the publishing/newspaper sector and some minor cost-out timing variances.

“Whilst the average sell prices at Print Australia are lower than expected, this does not represent a further reduction in prices to heatset customers but rather since November 2017 magazine and newspaper publishers have reduced paginations and quantities in their forward bookings. For the tier one retail catalogue customers, encouragingly we are seeing stability in pricing and increased volumes for a number of customers. This has helped to mitigate the impact of the reduced volumes from publishers. It should also be noted that we have been successful in securing some small format work at higher prices.

“The board and management are not satisfied with this result and are working hard to ensure we improve the underlying Print Australia results.

“Since my appointment as interim CEO in December, I have undertaken an extensive review of each of the operations across Australia which has given me the opportunity to obtain a deeper appreciation of what is required to move the business forward and ultimately achieve a better outcome for all stakeholders.

“In light of our recent guidance to the market, we remain focused on the print business’ cost base and will continue to adjust this to reflect market changes in mix and volumes. With the restructuring that has been undertaken over the last year, I am confident that we are in a strong position to continue to demonstrate our market leadership.

“The combined offer we have through our print, digital, distribution and marketing services businesses opens up new opportunities to deliver effective and efficient integrated marketing campaigns for our customers.”

Matthew Bickford Smith, chairman, PMP, says, “The company has been able to retain the extensive skills and experience that Slaven brings to the role. The board has confidence in his understanding of the opportunities and challenges that exist for our company and industry, and his commitment to improve the company’s profitability.”

This News article appeared in the March 2018 issue of Australian Printer Magazine

Source: Australian Printer

Leading the company: Former IPMG CEO Kevin Slaven appointed to lead PMP

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